Legislative sessions are now in full swing in three of our priority states: Arizona, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. In New Mexico, the legislature has already concluded its fast-paced 30-day session.

Across these states, the legislation we’re supporting is gaining traction, sparking robust discussions, and opening pathways for change.

None of this progress happens without strong leadership. The legislative sponsors championing these bills have been extraordinary partners, and their commitment, persistence, and willingness to push these efforts forward are what turn good ideas into lasting impact. We are grateful for the work they are doing to move these bills across the finish line and to improve the lives of individuals and communities across their states.

Below, you’ll find a snapshot of where things stand in each state and why we're genuinely optimistic that this could be a big year for reform.

With state legislative sessions officially underway or kicking off soon, we are excited to share the bold state-level reforms we are working to advance in 2026. We are focused on key states where our legislative champions are fired up and where meaningful change is within reach.

Alongside our strong legislative leaders and coalition of advocacy groups, impacted individuals, employers, business groups, and stakeholders, we are optimistic that these efforts will result in laws signed with an immediate impact.

As we close out our 10th year, Justice Action Network is proud to reflect on a year of extraordinary impact. Below is a snapshot of what we accomplished, by the numbers.

In 2025, ten pieces of JAN-supported legislation were signed into law across three states. These bills cover five issue areas–corrections reform, community supervision reform, fines and fees reform, sentencing modernization, and re-entry reform–and include four bills that received unanimous support in both chambers! The reforms passed in these states represent significant system-level change.

As 2025 comes to an end, we’re reflecting on all of the progress we’ve seen over the last 10 years since Justice Action Network was founded. We sat down with our Executive Director, Lauren Krisai, to hear her thoughts on how the organization and policy work has evolved over the last 10 years, and what we hope to see over the next decade.

Dear Friends,

Last week, Justice Action Network Foundation (JANF) hosted its fourth State Lawmaker Convening on Smart Justice Policies in Scottsdale, Arizona.

This closed-door, bipartisan gathering brought together 30 top state lawmakers who are leaders on smart justice reforms in their states. Lawmakers in attendance represent a cross-section of the country in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Utah.

There is some encouraging news to share: newly released FBI data on crime in the United States in 2024 shows a sweeping decline in crime across the country, with every majorcategory—both violent and property crime—experiencing drops to levels not seen since the 1960s.

This year, JAN + JANF focused our resources in states where we have the strongest relationships and where we believe have the biggest opportunities for reform in 2025: Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

We’re thrilled to report that our focused advocacy approach paid off: NINE JAN-supported bills were signed into law!

This month we’re recognizing the critical role employment plays in empowering individuals on their path to success, and building economically resilient communities. At JAN + JANF, we believe robust workforce development must include everyone, including people who are ready to earn their second chance.

Today, Justice Action Network (JAN) applauds the New Mexico Legislature for passing Senate Bill 375, legislation that makes significant improvements to the state’s parole and probation systems. The bill passed both chambers with strong, bipartisan votes.

President Joe Biden announced today that he will commute the sentences of nearly 2,500 individuals serving time for non-violent drug offenses. These individuals were sentenced to decades in prison under disparity in the law that has since been reduced by the passage of the Fair Sentencing Act in 2010 and federal First Step Act in 2018.